Fire struck again tonight for the third time this week in Jackson County, destroying the Tompkins Township home of a family of seven.

Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Tony McNeil, his wife, Laura, and their five children were away when fire broke out in their farmhouse at 4965 Baseline Road near Tompkins Road.

Firefighters said flames had burned through the front of the house when they arrived after an 8:45 p.m. call. Wind from the northeast fanned flames from the ground level through the second floor and out the shingled roof.

"It appears they lost everything in the house, and the house," Undersheriff Tom Finco said from the scene.

He said members of the sheriff's office will help the family with money and clothes, and that people who want to donate to the family can do so through the department, which can be reached at 768-7901.